Steel Products
SMU Analysis of U.S. Exports of Flat Rolled & Long Products
Written by Peter Wright
March 15, 2013
Written by: Peter Wright
Rolled steel exports in January increased 11.6 percent from December but were down by 193,000 tons from January 2012. The table below summarizes export steel trade by product with trend comparisons. Percentage changes are all on a three month moving average basis to reduce the noise in the data. Total exports in the three months through January were down by 11.1 percent compared to the three months through October. Exports were down by 19.1 percent compared to the three months through January last year and were up by 1 percent compared to two years ago.
In the three months through January, export volumes for all products decreased compared to three months earlier. The decrease was similar across all products except for rail which was down by 39.1 percent. Compared to a year ago, exports were down on all products except rail and tubulars. Compared to two years ago exports were up on all products except longs and electro galvanized sheet. In January 85 percent of total steel exports were destined for our NAFTA partners, 53 percent to Canada and 32 percent to Mexico.
Peter Wright
Read more from Peter WrightLatest in Steel Products
CRU: EC to toughen steel safeguards
The European Commission proposes cutting its steel import quota by almost half, with volumes exceeding the limit facing 50% duties. The region’s steel industry welcomes the move, while other steel-producing nations fear the consequences. CRU published an insight before this announcement, noting that more restrictive trade policy could significantly raise the cost of marginal supply […]
US and Canadian rig counts stabilize
US counts continue to hover just above historic lows, while Canadian figures remain comparatively healthy.
Plate market sources critique mill hikes amid current market conditions
Following spot market plate price increase notices issued by domestic mills this past week, participants are contemplating the rationale behind the increases and whether they will stick. Some sources anticipate that current market conditions will shift in November and believe the increases may set a new "pricing floor."
Oregon Steel Mills lifts plate prices by $60/ton
Oregon Steel Mills has joined other producers in announcing a price increase of at least $60 per short ton on steel plate.
CRU: Construction of pilot plant for green steel process starts
Voestalpine and partners have begun building an industrial-scale Hy4Smelt demonstration plant in Linz, Austria, which they hope will become key in the decarbonization of steel.